Scouting Report- Chanso Horam: NEROCA's latest gem

The player is technically sound and his pace is an added advantage.

Over the last few years, NEROCA FC have been a breeding ground for many young talents and this season and one such player who stoodout is young midfielder Chanso Horam.

The 18-year old was one of the shining lights at the club last campaign. He often made things happen in midfield and even when he came on from the bench he added panache to their gameplay.

Name: Chanso Horam

Age: 18

Date of Birth: 29th October 2001

Position: Midfielder

Background

Manipur, as we know, has been the breeding ground of many football legends in our country and till date, a lot of talented players are coming out from the state.

Chanso Horam also started his journey playing in the Manipur State League, where he represented several clubs and gradually grew in stature as a local fan-favourite.

Horam gathered a lot of experience when he was called-up for the Manipur state camp ahead of the Santosh Trophy back in 2018. He was one of the vital cogs in midfield for Manipur, as the team travelled to West Bengal for the final round.

Although, Manipur struggled to get past the group stages it was Chanso Horam who was the shining beacon in an otherwise below average side. However, Horam's biggest feat came a year later, when he alongside his teammates inspired Yarkhok United to qualify for the Manipur State League in 2019.

Yarkhok United defeated KIYC 4-2 over two legs in the final to become the first team from Ukhrul district to qualify for the Manipur State League in 2019. Horam was one of the players who registered his name on the scoresheet and was an influential figure throughout the season. His consistent performances convinced NEROCA to rope in the youngster.

Positives

Chanso Horam is technically very sound and an added advantage is his pace, which allows him to even play as a right midfielder if needed. Despite being an attacking midfielder he's a hard-worker who tracks back when not in possession and gets involved in a lot of pressing.

He started the season brilliantly and his best performance came against Gokulam Kerala, where people were astonished to see someone with so much panache gliding past the Gokulam defence time and again. His creativity coupled with acceleration makes him a very dangerous prospect around the penalty area.

NEROCA head coach Gift Raikhan sometimes played him in a deeper role and Horam was decent in adapting to the new circumstances. He always had to compete with the more experienced Imran Khan for a place in midfield and therefore his game-time shrunk in the latter stages of the league.

Despite the lack of game-time in the latter stages of the league, his teammate and star striker Philip Adjah feels that the youngster always made a difference on the pitch. The Ghanaian forward said, "He is a very good player and a game-changer. He always makes a difference whenever he comes on from the bench."

Aspects to Improve

Horam is still in the early days of his career and with more experience in the I-League, he is destined for bigger things.

Despite getting into great positions the 18-year old is yet to show composure in front of goal. He has glided his way past multiple defenders against various oppositions this season, but the finishing touch has tended to elude him.

Apart from his finishing, the youngster needs to develop himself physically as he often got shrugged off the ball by towering midfielders.

Similar To

Chanso Horam's playing style and versatility make him a younger version of Brandon Fernandes. Horam, just like the FC Goa man can play as a #10 or even on the flanks.

If the 18-year old keeps himself grounded and hones his skills in the coming years, there are possibilities that big clubs will come calling. Horam is still very young and raw and as he continues his development, Indian football fans will want the youngster to follow in the footsteps of one of India's finest current midfielders.

Future

Horam has shown enough glimpses of his talent in his first season in the I-League and will look to raise his bar next time around, being among the regulars at the club. He has the potential to play in the I-League and if he keeps on improving, he will definitely get a more prominent role at NEROCA next season.

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